Explosions Near Shia Shrine in Syria Kill at Least 45 People

Three explosions occurring at a bus station near the Shia shrine of Sayyida Zeinab in the southern suburbs of the Syrian capital on Sunday claimed the lives of at least 45 people and injured scores of others.

According to Syrian state media, the explosions were caused by a car bomb and two suicide bombers.

The shrine is important for Shia pilgrims as it contains the grave of one of the granddaughters of Prophet Muhammad.

The shrine has been targeted by attacks before, most recently in February last year when two suicide bombers killed four people and injured another thirteen at a nearby checkpoint.

Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks, Al Jazeera informs.

The news of the explosions comes as representatives of the Syrian government and opposition are meeting in Geneva for peace talks mediated by the United Nations.

The main opposition group withdrew its initial intention to boycott the talks and met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on Sunday.